PRESS RELEASE
Monday 16th October 2006

Grove Village Wins Men Property Awards "Best Regeneration Scheme"

Grove Village, a housing PFI scheme in Ardwick, Manchester, has been crowned “Best Regeneration Scheme” in the Manchester Evening News Property Awards.

The award gives recognition to the pioneering work of Grove Village which is transforming an inner-city council housing estate into a sustainable, mixed tenure and well-managed urban village - a place where people are now choosing to live.

It also highlights a central ethos of Grove Village that regeneration is about more than just building new homes; it is about recognising the needs of the local community and using investment in existing homes and building new properties as a catalyst for wider neighbourhood renewal.

Putting the needs of the local community at the heart of the process has been a key driver for Grove Village. From the start tenants and residents have been involved in the new design of the estate through planning exercises and open days. Tenants continue to be consulted in the ongoing development of the estate.

Grove Village Ltd is unique partnership between Harvest Housing Group, MJ Gleeson Group plc and Nationwide Building Society, set up to deliver the housing PFI scheme, designed by PRP Architects, for Manchester City Council.

Paul Hilton, Director of Grove Village, said: “The partners and investors are delighted that Grove Village has been awarded Best Regeneration scheme.

“We must congratulate the tenants and residents of Grove Village who have fought long and hard to bring this regeneration scheme to their area and who have patiently endured much disruption over the last three years.

“Special recognition should also go to subcontractors Gleeson Regeneration, Powerminster, Gleeson Building and Manchester & District Housing Association, each of whom has shown the dedication and resilience to deliver this complex project.”

“A special thank you also goes to Manchester City Council and local ward councillors who had the vision to transform the area using the then pioneering housing PFI as a solution to the area’s housing need.”

Representatives from the Grove Village Tenants’ and Residents’ Association and Manchester City Council joined Grove Village partners and investors at the awards ceremony on Thursday 12th October.

Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing Councillor Eddy Newman, said: “We are absolutely delighted the scheme has been recognised in this way as a great example of how the community is being put at the heart of regeneration.”

As the first social housing PFI to reach contract signing in 2003, a partnership of this nature had not been achieved before in the social housing sector.  The scale of regeneration is unique as it includes refurbishment, massive infrastructure change, commercial and retail facilities and new homes changing the tenure mix to 50% private ownership, 50% social rented – all while the residents stay in their homes.

ENDS